US boy, 13, becomes youngest to climb Everest

Beijing: A 13-year-old American boy became the youngest climber to reach the top of Mount Everest on Saturday, breaking the former record as part of his quest to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents.

A spokesman for Jordan Romero says the boy`s team called him by satellite phone from the summit of the world`s highest mountain, 29,035 feet (8,850 meters) above sea level.
"Their dreams have now come true. Everyone sounded unbelievably happy," a new statement on Jordan`s blog said Saturday morning.

The teenager with long curly hair — who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa when he was 10 years old — says he was inspired by a painting in his school hallway of the seven continents` highest summits.

"Every step I take is finally toward the biggest goal of my life, to stand on top of the world," Jordan said on his blog earlier.

The former record for the youngest climber to scale Everest had been held by Temba Tsheri of Nepal. He reached the peak at age 16.

"I`m just very proud of him," Jordan`s mother told The Associated Press by telephone just before he reached the peak, as she watched his progress on a live GPS tracker online.

When asked what she would say to him once he reached the summit, she started crying. "I can`t really say that. It`s just emotional."

Jordan, from Big Bear, California, was climbing Everest with his father, his father`s girlfriend and three Sherpa guides. He left for the peak from the base camp on the Chinese side.

Unlike neighboring Nepal, the other approach to Everest, China has no age limit for climbers. Jordan registered with Chinese officials in April, said Zhang Mingxing, secretary general of China Tibet Mountaineering Association.

No interview with Jordan would be possible until he returns to advance base camp, which could take a couple of days, said Rob Bailey, the U.S.-based spokesman for Romero`s climbing team. Climbers stay overnight at three or four camps before the summit, depending on their route and pace.

The team planned to do something special for Jordan at the mountaintop but was keeping it a surprise even from him, Bailey said.

Jordan was carrying a number of good luck charms, including a pair of kangaroo testicles given to him by a friend who has cancer.

"That`s the one the probably meant the most. I know it might sound odd," Bailey said.